Uuuuuh, who the he'll cares? It doesn't record your actual location and it's hidden on your computer or phone. Physical access = all access. Besides, so what? What is there to hide? I don't care if people know *about* where I've been, I'll post my map on flickr... I would really just like to know why when somebody says 'iPhone recording location data' and suddenly it's this huge privacy concern and all this sh1t, so what? Why does everybody freak out when it's not even being sent to anyone? I would just like to know.

So youre saying that consolidated.db was devised by the Obama administration and forced upon Apple for the sole purpose of tracking users? Where is the proof of this? Where is the proof that the file is used for anything other than network quality?

Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"

Awesome! No more complaining from iFans about Privacy flaws in Android. It is unbelievable that Apple is doing such a thing intentionally. \

HUH? Every time you use your cell phone, its location is written to a usage log somewhere; why is this news to anyone?

Second, how many people go around synching their iOS device to more than one computer? Very few.

Third, who the he** cares where I've been; if you're going places that you think should be private, chances are you ought to be locked up anyway. Don't want someone knowing you go to strip clubs? Don't GO to them.

Can't apologize this one away - it is what it is... Government spying on its citizens.

Apple products are going to be re-branded by the public replacing the 'I' with 'spy'.

At least now there is some transparency on why Obama and SJ met. Obama has been pushing for more warrantlees domestic spying powers. What better way to get people to willfully, and unexpectedly, participate then to plant it in coveted technology.

Last straw for me. Sold.
I don't invest in unethical stocks.

I know this post is going to get trashed - I also know that regardless of what the usual apologists say, deep down it's bothering their conscious. There has to be a point where freedom and liberty are valued more then profit. Some cross that line before others I guess.

This is no random mistake. This is very intentional. As soon as Obama gets the go-ahead for warrantless wi-fi and cellular spying - this data will be collected and used.

To begin with: the huge privacy violations began after 9/11, long before President Obama took office. So that negates your first STUPID comment.

Second, if you don't invest in unethical stocks, then pray tell, what do you invest in? Answer: you don't, because you're a moron.

Third, what in the he** does this have to do with President Obama, anyway? The guy meets with thousands of people everyday, including heads of state; so if he meets with the prime minister of Great Britain, and then Britain has a riot one day, it's somehow his fault? You're on the wrong forum pal, you need to go back to watching (what's left of) Glenn Beck.

Fourth: yes, it's intentional. It's also not disseminated (look it up, it's in the dictionary).

Lastly, what are you doing on this forum if you hate Apple products? Are you one of those who has nothing better to do than to try to stir up arguments, thinking this somehow elevates you to more than the imbecile status to which you so vehemently cling?

Apple disclosed that they were gathering real time location data, and what they were using it for. I don't believe they disclosed that the data was unencrypted (from what I've read).

To R Daneel Olivaw (ETO), let me just clarify that the reason this is news is not that iOS4 is tracking you. The reason it's news is that the data they're gathering wasn't encrypted.

I agree that the issue is that it is unencrypted, but I also believe that people were jumping to incorrect conclusions about this data. This to me looks more like an oversight than a major violation of privacy that some people are trying to make it out to be.

From what I have read so far you set your setting correctly this data will no longer be gathered. You can also purge this information. (I know a rooted phone can and haven't attempted it on a non-rooted phone.)

On your computer your backups can already be encrypted which resolves the issue there.

Next you just bug Apple until they resolve the issue and encrypt the file.

As for the Obama/Justice Department stuff that is just crazy talk and I'm no Obama fan. They sure as heck don't need this file from your iPhone. This information is already available via your cell phone service provider.

That looks suspicious. Tie it to your dog or cat and let it roam around your home.

Buy a burner phone, have it forwarded to some other number so it doesn’t tie you to the area, call yourself at home and have it auto answer with an app you make so it can seem like you were home on the phone when the crime was committed. But don’t make the call happen exactly when the crime took place, just make it close enough that it would be impossible for you to have been in both places in that time frame.

Also, don’t commit crimes.

Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"

Can't apologize this one away - it is what it is... Government spying on its citizens.

Apple products are going to be re-branded by the public replacing the 'I' with 'spy'.

At least now there is some transparency on why Obama and SJ met. Obama has been pushing for more warrantlees domestic spying powers. What better way to get people to willfully, and unexpectedly, participate then to plant it in coveted technology.

Last straw for me. Sold.
I don't invest in unethical stocks.

I know this post is going to get trashed - I also know that regardless of what the usual apologists say, deep down it's bothering their conscious. There has to be a point where freedom and liberty are valued more then profit. Some cross that line before others I guess.

This is no random mistake. This is very intentional. As soon as Obama gets the go-ahead for warrantless wi-fi and cellular spying - this data will be collected and used.

The apologist are amazing. Bottomline, if this data is no big deal, why collect it in he first place? Why store it at all? I just downloaded the app on my wife's Mac and showed her. She did not like it. Does she have anything to hide, no but the thought that anyone with access can see where she has been the last year is unsettling. It is garbage they are doing this and I am very anxious to see what the reasoning is. Oh, wait until the EU gets wind of this.

The apologist are amazing. Bottomline, if this data is no big deal, why collect it in he first place? Why store it at all? I just downloaded the app on my wife's Mac and showed her. She did not like it. Does she have anything to hide, no but the thought that anyone with access can see where she has been the last year is unsettling. It is garbage they are doing this and I am very anxious to see what the reasoning is. Oh, wait until the EU gets wind of this.

Apple will have to stop gathering data on users when the gathering is against the user's wishes.

Man, what a gold mine this can be for private investigators and plaintiffs' attorneys in divorce cases! Almost as good as the Cheaters television reality series!

(Coincidental postscript. While writing this I saw a CNN report about Michigan state troopers extracting data from motorists' cell phones during traffic stops. The ACLU believes this may violate 4th Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.)

I admit to being a Fanatical Moderate. I Disdain the Inane. Vyizderzominymororzizazizdenderizorziz?

Advertising mainly, just like most other companies. They actually have a pretty standard contract for it. Personal data is anonymized and/or aggregated before being used to provide locally relevant ads and information to you (that the user opts in for).

Their reasoning for collecting the data is largely harmless (as long as this file is related to that, which I think it is)

That looks suspicious. Tie it to your dog or cat and let it roam around your home.

Buy a burner phone, have it forwarded to some other number so it doesnt tie you to the area, call yourself at home and have it auto answer with an app you make so it can seem like you were home on the phone when the crime was committed. But dont make the call happen exactly when the crime took place, just make it close enough that it would be impossible for you to have been in both places in that time frame.

Also, dont commit crimes.

Or better yet, teleport yourself into another dimension. It's the only place where the thought police and the black helicopters can't find you.

BTW, I stayed away from these boards for a month or so, hoping that the level of discourse might magically improve. Is it my imagination, or has it only grown worse?

Did you bother to read the article and comments? Or the article it referenced and the comments there? People have already linked the reasons that Apple gave. Which by the way happened last year.

I agree with you, I tend to believe this was an oversite and not malicious on Apples part, however, can you give me the reasons Apple gave. And can you tell me what happened last year, I can find no credible reference?

Advertising mainly, just like most other companies. They actually have a pretty standard contract for it. Personal data is anonymized and/or aggregated before being used to provide locally relevant ads and information to you (that the user opts in for).

Their reasoning for collecting the data is largely harmless (as long as this file is related to that, which I think it is)

Since the authors of the article do not think the data is being transmitted to apple I doubt that they are tracking for ad purposes. I can believe it is for testing purposes.

Did you bother to read the article and comments? Or the article it referenced and the comments there? People have already linked the reasons that Apple gave. Which by the way happened last year.

Did you? I'm not seeing it? I guess if I have to link from this article to another article to another it may be in there but based on THIS article and THESE comments I only see a blurb about contacting Apple security with no response.

I've already linked to it. Two different locations in fact. I'm not going to link it again to you personally.

I looked at the links. Nowhere does it say this data would be stored, un-encrypted and go back a whole year. Also to say anonymous is a stretch. Loaded the app and it instantly ID my wife's phone as hers. They simply are saying they will gather data but nowhere do I see them admitting to what extent and how it truly is being used and how easily accessible it is.

Does anyone know how the location data is actually calculated? I looked at my traces with the app mentioned and there are some approximate location points stored when I was in another country with data roaming off and out of wifi range. Does it store the cell tower data and look up the location the next time it has a data connection?

I've already linked to it. Two different locations in fact. I'm not going to link it again to you personally.

Those articles really don't answer the question for me. If this file is resident on a phone, then according to your article links apple is in violation of it's own security policy because it would be very easy for me to grab your phone and see where you have been. I can get your personal info and i can get your geo log. Apples security policies that you are linking to clearly state that there is no way for anyone to link personal information to the geo tracking. So do you see the difference? Do you see why many would have a problem with this? All i have to do is grab your phone and I can tell you dates and times of where you have been for at least a year.

My "problem" is that I use reason and research to try to figure things out instead of just reacting rabidly to what I read on some blog. I can remember things from longer ago than last year, and I generally don't fall for a lot of claptrap from idiots with no knowledge of what they speak.

Can't apologize this one away - it is what it is... Government spying on its citizens.

Apple products are going to be re-branded by the public replacing the 'I' with 'spy'.

At least now there is some transparency on why Obama and SJ met. Obama has been pushing for more warrantlees domestic spying powers. What better way to get people to willfully, and unexpectedly, participate then to plant it in coveted technology.

Last straw for me. Sold.
I don't invest in unethical stocks.

I know this post is going to get trashed - I also know that regardless of what the usual apologists say, deep down it's bothering their conscious. There has to be a point where freedom and liberty are valued more then profit. Some cross that line before others I guess.

This is no random mistake. This is very intentional. As soon as Obama gets the go-ahead for warrantless wi-fi and cellular spying - this data will be collected and used.

You really need some help (assuming this wasn't 'sarcasm'). Maybe you should take off your tin hat.

I'm not claiming that this file is a good thing, but there is absolutely no evidence that this file is being sent or stored anywhere except locally. Furthermore, do you really think Obama personally asked Steve Jobs to create a location file on the iPhone so that if they arrested anyone, they could track their movements? Give me a break.

You really need some help (assuming this wasn't 'sarcasm'). Maybe you should take off your tin hat.

I'm not claiming that this file is a good thing, but there is absolutely no evidence that this file is being sent or stored anywhere except locally. Furthermore, do you really think Obama personally asked Steve Jobs to create a location file on the iPhone so that if they arrested anyone, they could track their movements? Give me a break.

Yeah, and yesterday there was no evidence that this file even existed, let alone un-encrypted on your Mac/PC and phone. Only time will tell how far this rabbit hole goes.

I agree with you, I tend to believe this was an oversite and not malicious on Apples part, however, can you give me the reasons Apple gave. And can you tell me what happened last year, I can find no credible reference?

If it is a nefarious endeavor then I'd have expected them to encrypt the file so they wouldn't get caught tracking their flock.

Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"

This is spelled out in Apples policy in iTunes and the iPhone updates as far as I know. This doesn't bother me at all because of two things.

1. AT&T service is so bad where I live, and the towers are so far apart that I can't get a reliable cell signal or a reliable GPS signal. Good luck tracking me with that data, it'll be so bad it wot matter.

2. I have an out of state area code, my address isn't listed correctly on any mapping service and all they would know is I drive back and forth to work 5 days a week. It doesn't affect me in the least that anyone could find out where I go, if they obtained that info yet are already in that area anyway.

What I'm more concerned about is AT&T willingly handing over any and all access to the US Government to monitor my phone calls and texts. But with the amount of illegal monitoring by the US Government these days, and the uneducated masses either ignoring it or blaming the end action on a political party that's no different from it's competition this isn't going to change any time soon. I'm not happy about that but I'm even more happy that I'm treated like a criminal whenever I feel the need to exercise my right to travel unhindered. This is nothing compared to that and is spelled out every time you agree to update your phone. I don't see why everyone is getting upset over this, there are much worse things going on in your local airports than this, get angry about that instead.

That Apple might enable tracking of users' travels by request of the Government cannot be ruled out. And if Apple is cooperating with a tracking program designed and run by the US, they would most certainly be prohibited by law from commenting or acknowledging such a program anyway. But if that were the case, said program probably wouldn't be specific to Apple, instead involving most/all phone manufacturers and mobile providers.

This isn't one of those "tin hat" stories, with several reliable and mainsteam sources noting the existence of location-mining programs run by the US and other governments. One of the most visible commenters is CNET.

Those articles really don't answer the question for me. If this file is resident on a phone, then according to your article links apple is in violation of it's own security policy because it would be very easy for me to grab your phone and see where you have been. I can get your personal info and i can get your geo log. Apples security policies that you are linking to clearly state that there is no way for anyone to link personal information to the geo tracking. So do you see the difference? Do you see why many would have a problem with this? All i have to do is grab your phone and I can tell you dates and times of where you have been for at least a year.

You asked where it disclosed that they were gathering specific location data for users. That article explained it.

I had no idea if this file is part of that system of that.

And if you actually, you know, read what I've wrote on this topic, you would see that I DO have a problem with the data not being encrypted and that people SHOULDN'T be writing it off.

Seriously, don't the teach "Context" to people anymore?

And you can't grab my phone and get that information. I have an Android device running non-stock software.